To begin, I’d like you to identify three or four people you know quite well who are influential. If you are working for a large organisation, try to select of people who work there. Alternatively, think outside of your organisation and even, outside of your working life. To make this exercise useful, the important thing is to find people you are quite familiar with.
Taking each individual in turn:
- Sort the cards into priority order based on what it is about them which makes them influential with you. Think about examples of when they have easily influenced you to do something, or to feel a certain way. Which source of power is most prominent in your mind about the way they are able to influence you?
- Once you have finalised the order, write down the ranking in your notebook under a column headed up with their name and “me”.
- Next, think about how they are able to influence other people. There may be variations because you have a special or different relationship with them. Consider their work and the people they engage with. What is it about them which sways opinion, mobilises action and gets things moving in the direction they want? If you do notice differences, move your cards around and complete another column with rankings under the title of their name and “others”.
- Before you move to the next individual, pause and reflect more deeply on how each source of power is used by them. For instance, when you think about their credibility, what aspect of their credentials is working for them? It may be their public profile, testimonials or their track record of results. Go deeper on each source of power.
Repeat this for three or four individuals if you can. What you will end up with is a page in your notebook which might look like this:
Power Sources Reminder
- Credibility: The power derived from your professional standing and expertise.
- Character: The underlying traits, values and beliefs which shape your behaviour.
- Presence: The impact you create and the feelings you stimulate when people meet you.
- Position: The roles you play and how you manoeuvre yourself into the limelight.
- Connections: The network of relationships you have around you and your work.
- Skills: Those exceptional abilities you have which enable you to get things done.
- Agenda: The issues and priorities you focus your leadership attention on.
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